Nestlé proudly announced that four of its U.S. business units—Nestlé USA, Nestlé Health Science, Nestlé Purina PetCare and Nestlé Waters North America (“Nestlé”)—received scores of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality. Nestlé joins the ranks of 767 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.
“At Nestle, we believe every employee in our organization should be able to bring their whole self to work, be supported and feel included,” said Judy Cascapera, Chief People Officer of Nestlé USA. “That takes both a culture and policies that put employees first, so I’m proud to see that we continue to make a difference —and have been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index for the third year in a row.”
The results of the 2021 CEI showcase how 1,142 U.S.-based companies are not only promoting LGBTQ-friendly workplace policies in the U.S., but also for the 57% of CEI-rated companies with global operations who are helping advance the cause of LGBTQ inclusion in workplaces abroad. Nestlé USA, Nestlé Health Science, Nestlé Purina PetCare and Nestlé Waters North America satisfied all of the CEI’s criteria, earning 100 percent rankings and a place on the list of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality.
“From the previously unimaginable impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, to a long overdue reckoning with racial injustice, 2020 was an unprecedented year. Yet, many businesses across the nation stepped up and continued to prioritize and champion LGBTQ equality,” said Alphonso David, Human Rights Campaign President. “This year has shown us that tools like the CEI are crucial in the work to increase equity and inclusion in the workplace, but also that companies must breathe life into these policies and practices in real and tangible ways. Thank you to the companies that understand protecting their LGBTQ employees and consumers from discrimination is not just the right thing to do—but the best business decision.”
People are at the heart of Nestlé’s business—no matter what they look like, who they love or where they come from. Nestlé continues to build an inclusive culture for LGBTQ employees through progressive workplace policies, including equal marriage benefits, equal parental leave for biological and adoptive parents, and financial support for gender transition medical costs. The Nestlé Pride Alliance and other Employee Resources Groups are helping the company to drive and maintain an inclusive culture. Nestlé continues to leverage its voice and scale to advocate for inclusive federal policies, including as a signatory of HRC’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act, and has strongly opposed anti-LGBTQ legislation at the state level.
The full HRC report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.